Pulp-filter.



R. POLK.

PULP FILTER. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20, 1909.

Patented July 19, 1910.

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R. POLK. PULP FILTER. APPLICATION FILED 111111.30, 1909.

Patented July 19, 1910.

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RALPH JPOLK, OF GREENWOOD, INDIANA.

PULP-FILTER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH POLK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenwood, in the county of Johnson and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pulp-Filters, of which the following is a specification.

This apparatus is designed for the purpose of removing the surplus water from tomato pulp without boiling. It is also adapted to other similar uses.

In the process of preparing tomato catsup, especially after the tomatoes have been reduced to pulp form, there is a surplus of fluid therein over what is desirable for the next step in the process. It has been customary to remove this surplus fluid by boiling the pulp. This boiling has had the effect of darkening the-goods, and thus rendering them less valuable marketably. As will be readily understood, it is highly desirable that the finished product shall have the bright, natural color of tomatoes, and this 'I am able to secure by means of my im-- proved filter and filtering process. The boiling, heretofore practiced, also to some extent affects the natural flavor, which it is desirable to preserve, and this I am of course also able to do, as by my process the boiling is avoided.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved pulp filter; Fig. 2 a view partially in top plan and partially in horizontal section view as seen when looking downwardly from the broken line 2 2 in Fig. 3; Fig. 3, a view partially in side elevation and partially in longitudinal section as seen when looking in the direction indi cated by the arrows from the broken line 3 3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a view partially in end elevation and partially in transverse vertical section as seen when looking in the direction indicated by the arrows from the broken line 4 4 in Fig. 2; Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sectional views on an enlarged scale at the oints indicated bythe broken lines 5 5 and 6 6 respectively, and Fig. 7 a detail sectional view of a fragmentof one of the filtering tubes at the upper end, showin how such tubes are attached and supper-tee.

Within a framework 21 I place a bottom 22 surrounded by suitable walls 23. Within the bottom are placed a number of low cir- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 20, 1909.

Patented July 19, 1910.

Serial No. 513,876.

cular walls 24 (eight are shown) which bound inclosures each having a central opening communicating with a vertically positioned pipe 25, which leads down and communicates with the general pipe system below. Said pipe system consists of a longitudinal pipe 31 extending the entire length of the structure, and having, at intervals, transverse pipes 32 connected therewith, from points at or near the ends of which the vertical pipes 25 lead up into the inclosures above referred to. At one end the main pipe 31 has connected thereto an inlet pipe 33 leading to a point as high or higher than the operative portions of the filtering tubes presently to be described, and through this pipe 33 the pulp with the water contained therein is introduced to the apparatus. From the opposite end of pipe 31 a discharge pipe 34 leads, which is provided with a valve 35. At every pipe end there is a removable cap or plug 36, which when re moved leaves free access to the interior of the pipe. There is, in the arrangement shown and described, a straight line opening thus provided for, through which water or steam may be introduced, by means of a hose or otherwise, for purposes of cleansing or sterilizing.

Mounted upon the upper portion of framework 21 are flanges 41 equal in number to the receptacles formed on the bottom by the annular walls 24. The filtering tubes 42 are of some suitable fabric. At the lower end they are placed on the outside of the walls 24, and split hoops or clamping bands 43 are clamped around them, as by bolts 44, thus holding the lower ends of said openended filtering tubes firmly to said walls 24. The upper ends of the filtering tubes 42 are drawn up through the flanges 41 and thence folded over on the outside, and similar clamping bands 45 are applied thereto. These filtering tubes are thus stretched with a suitable tension between the walls 24 and flanges 41, and are thus held in position to receive and filter the pulp.

When all is ready, the pulp to be filtered is introduced through pipe 33, and passes thence through the short vertical pipes 25 up into the filtering tubes 42, where it is allowed to remain until the desired amountof water has been filtered therefrom, the

pulp then drawn ofi further treatment. I

When it is desired to clean the apparatus, the filtering tubes may be removed by merely loosening the bands 43 and 45, when said cloth filtering tubes are easily removed and taken away for washing or other cleansing. When it is desired to cleanse or sterilize the pipe system, it is readily done by removalof the plugs 36, and the introduction of water or steam as above described.

My apparatus is therefore very simple to operate, and is sanitary. It not only pro duces an article much more nearly approaching the fresh tomato, in both color and flavor, but its use effects a considerable econonly in the process, as boiling, wit-h the attendant expense of fuel and time, is very largely saved-it being possible to pass a quantity of pulp through i this apparatus much more quickly than it can be boiled down. I I

Having thus fully described my said invention, what Iclairn as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is, I

1 An apparatus for filtering pulp, consisting of a framework, a bottom therein, a series of inclosures formed on said bottom, a corresponding series of flanges at a higher point in the fraine, open-end'ed fabric filteringtubes secured between the said inclosures and said flanges, and a pipe system' leading from a pointas high as the highest operative point of the filtering tubes to below the inclo sures and there communicating therewith, and a valve at the discharging end of said pipe system lower than the lower ends of the filtering tubes, whereby the pulp may through pipe 34: for

be retained ithin the apparatus while being filtered, and which when opened, will permit the filtered pulp to be withdrawn. 2. The combination, in a pulp filtering apparatus, with the filtering tubes, of .a pipe system communicating therewith whereby the pulp is conducted thereto and with drawn therefrom, said pipe system having closable openings arranged opposite each other at each introduction and withdrawal point, whereby pipe system may be conveniently subjected to cleansing processes.

3. The combination, in a filtering apparatus, of a frame work, bottom therein, walls surrounding saidbottoni, a, seriesbf inclosures formed on said bottom the walls whereof are lower than the walls which surround said bottom, open-ended filtering tubes adapted to be secured to the walls of said i11- closur'es at their lower ends, supports to which the upper ends of said, filtering tubes are attached, pipe system whereby the material to be filtered maybe introduced into 7 said filtering tubes, and means ,for withdrawing said material after the filtering operation has taken place.

:terial to be filtered 4:. The combination, in a filtering apparatus, of a frame work, a bottom therein, walls surrounding said bottom, a series of inclosures formed on said bottom the walls whereof are lower than the walls which surround said bottom, open-ended filtering tubes adapted tobe secured to the walls of said inclosures at their lower ends, supports to which the upper ends of said filtering tubes are attached, means for removably attaching said filtering tubes at the upper and lower ends, a pipe system whereby the mamay be introduced into said filtering tubes, and means for withdrawing said material after the filtering operation has taken place.

5. The combination, in a filtering apparatus, of a frame work, a bottom therein, walls surrounding said bottom, a series of inclosures formed on said bottom the walls where- ,of are lower than the walls which surround said bottom, open-ended filtering tubes adapted to be secured to the walls of said inclosures at their lower ends, supports to which the upper ends of said filtering tubes are attached, means for reniovably attaching said filtering tiibes at the upper and lower ends, a pipe system whereby the inaterial to be filtered may be introduced into said filtering tubes through the bottoms of said inclosures, and means for withdrawing said material after the filtering operation has taken place. i 4

6. Thecombination, in a filtering apparatus, of a frame work, a bottom therein, walls surrounding said bottom, a series of inclosures forined on said bottom the walls whereof are lower than the walls which surround said bottom, open-ended filtering tubes adapted to be secured to the walls of said inclosures at their lower ends, supports to which the upper ends of said filtering tubes are attached, a pipesystem leading from a point above the operative point of the filtering tubes whereby the materialto be filtered may be introduced into saidfiltering tubes, and means arranged below the level of said filtering tubes for withdrawing said mate rial after the filtering operation has taken place. i I

7. Thecombination, in a filtering apparatus, of a frame work, a bottom therein, walls surrounding said bottom, a series of inclosures formed on said bottom the walls whereof are lower than the walls which surround said bottom, open-ended filtering tubes adapted to be secured to the walls of said inclosures at their lower ends, supports to which the upper ends of said filtering tubes are attached,means for removably attaching said filtering tubes at the upper and lower ends, a pipe system leading from a point above the operative point of the filtering tubes whereby the material to be filtered may be introduced into said filtering tubes this sixth day of August, A. D. one thousand through the bottpomls of said implosfures, alrfilld nine hundred and nine. means arranged e OW the eve 0 said tering tubes for Withdrawing said material RALPH POLK 5 after the filtering operation has taken place. Witnesses:

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set ARTHUR M. I-IooD, my hand and seal at Indianapolis, Indiana, THOMAS W. MCMEANS. 

